Aiya Wyatt was not your average eleven year old. The first major difference was that she was a witch though she had access to an even bigger level of weird since she was also a telepath. Well, actually she was a telekinetic but she did have a bit of telepathic abilities. She couldn't read anyone's mind outright but she could read their feelings easily and if she concentrated hard enough she could catch a word or two and sometimes even project a couple herself. It exhausted the hell out of her to attempt either of those but rumor had it doing so would become easier as she got older. Aiya wasn't really sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
On September 1st at 10:45 am Aiya and her parents stepped foot onto King's Cross's Platform 9 ¾ because today was the day Aiya left for Hogwarts. As she'd crossed through the barrier that separated the magical platform from the rest of the muggle train station her eyes were drawn immediately to the bright scarlet engine that was the Hogwarts Express. Just the sight of it made her stomach do a funny little flip because she almost hadn't gotten to see it at all. Luckily there she was though she was going to end up missing her ride if her parents didn't stop talking soon. She'd tuned them out a while ago and was just waiting for her opening to escape.
"Oi, Aiya!"
Dear Merlin, that voice is music to her ears, her escape had finally arrived. "James!"
Honestly she loved this guy. James Potter was her cousin and best friend. It was seriously a relief to see him.
James ran up and hugged her fiercely. "I thought you weren't coming."
"I wasn't but after begging for days they finally gave in."
"Perfect!" He turned to her parents and smiled sweetly. "Hi Aunt Liz, Uncle Robert."
"Hello James, where are your parents?"
James and Aiya started laughing and her mother looked completely confused. They pointed behind her parents and the adults turned around, coming face to face with Anastasia and Kyle Potter. Aiya's mum and aunt hugged and began talking while her dad and uncle started in on a conversation about the school. James and Aiya rolled their eyes at the adults and both fought not to laugh. Finally, after five minutes of waiting, she cleared her throat to get their attention.
"Um, train leaves in ten minutes so we're going to go get a compartment now."
Both sets of parents stopped talking to hug and kiss them before they ran off. As Aiya and James started looking for a compartment they were laughing so hard they could barely stand. It wasn't a surprise when James ran into someone and this only caused Aiya to laugh harder. James and the poor person he'd run into fell on the floor of the hallway and sat there staring at each other.
After a minute of neither one moving Aiya smacked James upside the head. "James, you giant git, apologize to the poor man, you did try and kill him after all."
"No I didn't."
He stood and helped the other boy up. Aiya leaned against the wall and waited to see what happened. The kid was kind of cute but he also had this air of arrogance about him. Again they stood staring at each other, sizing each other up Aiya thought, until James held his hand out.
"James Potter."
"Sirius Black."
Again Aiya rolled her eyes before pushing away from the wall. "Okay, now that that's over can we please go find a compartment?"
Black looked her up and down curiously. "And who are you?"
"Aiya Wyatt."
"What kind of name 'Aiya'?"
"I don't know, what kind of name is 'Sirius'?"
He laughed and smiled. Aiya just stuck out her tongue and started off to find a compartment. She heard James call after her but she kept going. She was tired of watching those two stare at each other so he could hunt her down when he was done. Took another couple of minutes but she finally found a compartment she was marginally happy with. There was a guy already sitting there but she didn't think he would mind her joining him.
"Hi, mind if I sit here?"
He never looked up from his book but she heard him mutter 'no' so she stuffed her trunk overhead and sat down. She figured James wasn't far behind so she stared at the door until he came bursting in.
"Why'd you leave?"
"Because I was tired of watching you idiots size each other up. You're both big bad he-men so can we go on with life?"
The boy in the corner gave a snort of laughter and Aiya decided then and there that she would definitely be making friends with him. James and Sirius stared at her, mouths open, before James started laughing hysterically. Sirius looked at then like they were both crazy before shrugging and taking a seat. She hadn't seen him put his trunk away but when she looked it was sitting on the rack overhead.
The three of them sat talking until the train started moving. James and Aiya paused to wave good-bye to their families then turned back to the others. The mystery boy was still sitting there reading and Aiya decided that he needed to pay attention to her and the others instead.
"What are you reading?" She leaned down and turned her neck at a funny angle to try and see the title.
"Nothing."
"Liar." Aiya snatched the book and looked it over. "Werewolves? Deep reading."
"I guess."
"No seriously, this really is deep stuff. When I was nine I spent all summer reading about them. I couldn't get enough, I thought it was all so interesting."
"It's true, she's such a geek."
"James, you really are a git you know that right?"
"Yep."
"Okay, so anyway, why werewolves?"
"Why did you read about them?"
"Curiosity. I read about some attacks in the 'Prophet' and I wanted to know more. So why are you reading about them?"
"Curiosity."
"Liar. So, you got a name or should I just keep calling you a liar?"
"Remus Lupin."
"Aiya Wyatt, and they," Aiya pointed to the others. "Are Sirius Black and James Potter. James is my cousin and Sirius is some random bloke James tried to kill in the hallway."
"Aiya, I didn't try and kill him! He ran into me, that's not my fault."
Sirius gasped and shot James an injured look. Yep, Aiya was definitely going to like this guy, he was messing with her cousin already. She just laughed and turned back to Remus. He was staring at her, probably waiting for her to give his book back. He had great eyes; they kind of reminded her of hot chocolate, pale brown and sweet. Why exactly she was having thoughts like that she had no idea but whatever.
"Aiya, show them what you can do." Aiya jumped a little and sent a death glare at James.
"There's nothing to show James."
"Oh come on Aiya, don't be, ow!"
She stared at the ceiling, pretending that she hadn't just elbowed him in the side. Sirius was laughing his ass off and Remus wore a small smile though he kept his laughter to himself. Aiya just smiled innocently and prepared to start a new conversation on anything but then the door of the compartment slid open. She noticed the look on James' face and decided that paybacks are hell.
"Hey Red."
"My name is not 'Red'."
"I know that but since I don't know your name it worked for me."
She gave Aiya a rather scathing look and she bit her cheek so that she didn't laugh. "My name is Lily Evans."
"A pleasure, I'm sure. I'm Aiya, that's Sirius, Remus and my cousin James who, by the look of things, has developed an instantaneous and gigantic crush on you."
James fell out of his seat; Lily stared from him to Aiya and back, and the rest of then laughed until they cried. Aiya could tell that Lily thought this was some kind of joke so she gathered herself quickly.
"Look, it's nice to meet you Lily. I promise we aren't making fun of you, I was just stating the obvious since James here was practically drooling on himself. Why don't you come in and take a seat."
"Thanks but I already have a compartment, I was just looking for someone."
Aiya shrugged and smiled at her. "Okay, well, see you around then."
"Bye." She disappeared from sight and Aiya turned her gaze back to James. He was still on the floor and looked like someone had just slapped him. For the second time that day she smacked him on the back of the head. He came back from whatever alternate reality he'd been enjoying and lifted himself back onto the bench next to her. She had to fight not to laugh again and somehow managed to look completely innocent.
Shock was slowly beginning to wear off and since she didn't want James to start wailing on her she brought up Quidditch. Sirius and James jumped on the subject and began talking animatedly. Aiya turned back to Remus and handed him his book. He smiled and, much to her surprise, set the book next to him.
"So, why did you elbow James?"
"I did no such thing."
"Yes you did."
"Prove it."
He laughed and Aiya swore her blood froze. He'd laughed earlier, along with the rest of them, but this time was different. This time his eyes lit up and he looked amazing. Earlier she had wondered about the pallor of his skin and the scars on his face and hands but when he laughed like this they weren't even noticeable. Damn, he was freaking hot! Wait, say what? She did not just think that. Nope, not her, Aiya do not have a crush, she did not think he was hot and she was so not fooling herself here. Someone really needed to save her from herself.
"Are you okay?"
Wow, reality check. "Yeah, fine, sorry I'm a bit spacey sometimes."
"No problem."
"So you never did tell me why you were reading about werewolves."
"Oh, that. Well, you see, I, well, I, it's just that, uh-"
"Anything from the trolley dears?"
Damn, sweet cart was here. Ha, sugar! Aiya jumped up and bought one of everything chocolate on the cart. What could she say, she loved her chocolate. After the others got what they wanted the group all sat down and fell silent as they ate. Aiya amused the guys by playing with her chocolate frogs; apparently the little guys don't like playing jump rope. The best one, by far, was when she sent one bouncing around the room and it landed on James' head. Needless to say she didn't eat that one.
As the hours passed the four of the, sat talking about anything they could think of. They were quickly forming a friendship and Aiya hoped that no matter what houses they got into they would stay friends. Before she could even think about it they were nearly at the school. The four of them quickly pulled on their robes and waited for the train to stop. When it was time to disembark James and Aiya had identical smiles on their faces.
They all rode across the lake, listened to a speech about how the sorting worked and finally entered the Great Hall. Now the fun begins. The teacher officiating began calling out names but Aiya only listened with half an ear. She'd pay attention when she cared but otherwise she was checking the place out.
"Black, Sirius."
Time to pay attention! Aiya watched Sirius sit on the stool. He looked so stupid with that hat on but whatever. As they waited she thought back to the train ride and remembered him lamenting about the sorting. Apparently his family had been in Slytherin for years and expected him to get in too, even though he didn't want to. She was beginning to wonder if the hat was going to sort him at all when it finally yelled 'Gryffindor'."
Sirius looked shocked and broke out into a huge smile as he walked to the Gryffindor table. Well, at least he managed to stay out of Slytherin. Ugh, Slytherin, gross. Nothing but trouble and creepiness coming out of that place. Aiya was so glad Sirius wasn't sorted into that house because that would have been the end of any friendship. Slytherins did not befriend students in other houses, doing so was beneath them.
"Evans, Lily."
Aiya felt James tense up and rolled her eyes, the boy needed help. Lily was put in Gryffindor and Aiya had to fight a laugh when Sirius winked at James. She knew that James would complain for the rest of our lives if he wasn't put in Gryffindor. Honestly, her cousin was a complete and utter dork. She could tell he was nervous and wondered why, their families had a history in Gryffindor, they'd be fine.
"Lupin, Remus."
Hello you have my attention now Professor, she thought. Aiya sighed when he was put in Gryffindor as well and suddenly she was the nervous one. Had she been making fun of James a few moments ago? Well, she took it all back! If Aiya don't get into Gryffindor she might just cry. Dramatic she knew but she already had the feeling James would be put there and she wanted to be with her cousin and new friends.
"Potter, James."
Aiya heard James gulp as he walked up to the stool. He sat down and looked so nervous she thought he was going to faint. As if that wasn't bad enough she saw Sirius and Remus staring at him. Great, let's all make the poor guy nervous and have him embarrass himself in front of the whole school. Not a bad idea but this was important. Another moment passed before everyone heard, 'Gryffindor'.
Aiya clapped almost as hard as the Gryffindors and she hadn't even been sorted yet. James ran over to the others and sat down smiling. She thought she saw him wink at Lily Evans but she wasn't sure. Great, now Aiya was the only one left. Merlin keep her the hell out of Slytherin. If that happened she would have to run away in shame. She shivered at the thought of being stuck with that bunch and felt nauseous.
Noise snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked to see what was going on. Oh damn, stool, boy, floating, crap! Aiya shut her eyes tight and set the stool down. When she opened them the boy who had been clinging to it was shaking. Damn, damn, damn, she'd let myself get distracted and next thing she knew some kid she'd never even seen before was floating in front of the whole school. Great, perfect, luckily no one knows it was her who did it.
"Wyatt, Aiya."
Crap, here goes nothing, and everything, she thought. Aiya was one of the last to be called so there was next to no one up there with her. She slid on the stool and forced myself not to look nervous.
"Hmm," whoa, voice in her head! "Your mind is very interesting my dear, very interesting indeed. Ambition, you would do marvelous in Slytherin." Not even! "No? Well, let's see, ah, intelligence galore, you would do beautifully in Ravenclaw. Oh, and a great deal of loyalty to your friends. Ah, yes definitely loyal, well then, Gryffindor."
Yes! For a second there, with all that talk about loyalty, she thought she was going to end up in Hufflepuff. Nothing wrong with that but it wasn't where she wanted to be. Nope, she was a Gryffindor, yippee. Okay, enough. She ran over and sat next to James. He hugged her and leaned in.
"Nice job making that Snape kid float."
"Didn't do it on purpose."
"Really? Too bad."
Aiya shrugged and elbowed him lightly. They smiled at each other before turning to pay attention to the headmaster. She expected some kind of big speech but he just told everyone to tuck in and sat down as the food appeared. Yum, food. Hey, what could she say, she was addicted. Aiya was permanently stuck on skinny no matter how much she ate since her metabolism was beyond abnormally high. This being the case she figured she might as well enjoy herself. Of course she had yet to figure out why she even bothered with food when all she wanted was dessert.
"Hello? Earth to Aiya."
"What?" She blinked a couple of times and looked at James. "What do you want?"
"Sirius just asked you about your wand stupid."
"My wand?"
"Yes, we're currently discussing them."
"Can't we talk about something a little more interesting, like Quidditch?"
Sirius smirked and shook his head. "Nope, now what kind of wand do you have?"
"Rosewood, unicorn hair, ten inches. Happy?"
"Yep, now on to Quidditch!" He speared his fork into the air and they all started laughing. Damn but school was going to be fun with this bunch around.
"So guys," Aiya took the initiative since none of the idiots could bring themselves to quit laughing. "What positions do you play? James, shut your mouth I already know what you play."
"They don't."
"Fine, proceed."
James smiled and puffed out his chest. "Chaser."
"Same." This from Sirius.
Aiya smiled devilishly. "Seeker."
Remus blushed, yes blushed, and mumbled something that none of them could hear. Aiya watched him closely and forced herself not to try and read him. If there was something he was holding back that was his business and she was not going to intrude.
Sirius looked him over. "What?"
He turned a deeper shade of red and said, "I've never played."
"What!" James and Sirius chorused.
Aiya shot them both harsh glances and looked at Remus. "It's no big deal you know. Don't let those two idiots get to you; the world does not revolve around Quidditch."
"This from the seeker, all you have to do is float around and then make a mad dash for the snitch, if you catch it then you're the hero."
"Shut up Black! I could kick your ass as a chaser any day of the week. Besides, if you know anything about Quidditch, which by your last statement I'm guessing you don't, you would know that seeker is the hardest position there is."
Sirius shot her a huge smile. "I know I just wanted to see what you would say. In other news, she's right Remus. Sadly, the world does not revolve around Quidditch which is why I find myself in school."
Remus cheered up some, relieved that the others didn't care. Damn it, he was so cute when he smiles. Ugh, what the hell is the matter with her? Aiya barely even knew this guy and here she was thinking about how cute he is? Hell, if James knew what she was thinking he would never let her live it down. She scowled at her thoughts but was brought out of it by James nudging her arm. She looked up and saw all three of them staring at her. Shit! Luckily today seemed to be her day because just then dessert appeared and she was saved from having to say anything as they all dove in.
Merlin, this stuff almost puts her mum's desserts to shame. If she got this every night she might just learn how to gain weight. Again she zoned back in to hear Sirius talking, did that boy ever shut up?
"So Aiya, you mentioned that you and James are cousins, how does that work?"
"First, when did I mention that and second why do you care?"
"You mentioned it on the train and I'm just curious."
"Whatever. Our moms are sisters, twins, so yeah I'd say that sums that one up. Next!"
The boys laughed and Aiya just rolled her eyes. What was this; interrogate Aiya while she's not paying attention night? They'd been on a train all day and now it's time to play twenty questions. Why couldn't they have done this earlier when none of them had anything better to do? Why wait until dinner when they were all starving?
"Earth to Aiya!"
"Oi, Jamie, what the bloody hell is the matter with you? You of all people know better than to startle me like that."
Sirius started laughing hysterically and James, Remus and Aiya stared at him in confusion. Finally his deep belly laughs turned to, of all things, giggles and he managed to squeak out "Jamie". James glared daggers and Aiya started to laugh.
"Yes, Jamie. I've called him that all our lives and I'm the only one who gets away with calling him that. Honestly, what's the big deal? It's a freaking nickname they aren't that uncommon you know."
"I know but still it's funny."
"If you say so. Let's see what I can come up with to call you. How about Siri?"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me! So, make fun of James again and I'll gladly take to using it and making sure that every girl at Hogwarts knows to use it as well."
"Ugh, fine you win. Aiya, you are a truly evil woman, you know that right?"
"And all the men love me for it. What can I say, I'm hot stuff."
James gave a horrified gasp and shot her a look of utter disbelief. "No! No, my little cousin is not hot stuff."
"Little my ass, Jamie. You are two months older than I am and you think that makes me your little cousin?"
"Face it Aiya love, you'll always be my little cousin because I'll always be taller than you." Aiya punched him in the arm which sent Remus and Sirius into another bout of laughter.
Finally Dumbledore dismissed the students and the quartet headed off toward Gryffindor Tower. Aiya walked between James and Remus and linked arms with both. Apparently Sirius felt left out because he linked arms with James and ended up getting cuffed on the head. They all laughed laughed and continued on their way as Aiya began making her declarations concerning the living situations.
"If I'm stuck with a bunch of girly girls I'm moving in with you losers."
Sirius smiled over at her. "There are five Gryffindor first years little girl, which means five beds, which means you're out of luck."
"Well," she smiled as sweetly as possible, "if I have to I will not hesitate to send some poor boy to sleep in the bathtub or hallway or whatever. I cannot be stuck with a bunch of overly girly girls! They keep medieval torture devices in the bathrooms and attack each other with them. I refuse to be made a torture target."
Sirius pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "Oh you poor baby! If you get scared you just come climb in bed with me and I'll protect you."
She punched him in the stomach. "Pervert! If I'm going to climb in bed with anyone it will be someone who won't molest me as I try to sleep, in other words James or Remus."
"I'm wounded Aiya, absolutely wounded."
"Bull!"
James and Remus laughed and James pulled her away from Sirius. He gave him a completely fake 'hands-off' look which made Aiya laugh. They entered the common room and she gave each of them a kiss on the cheek before heading off to the girl's dormitory. Before she went in she told them that she would meet them at breakfast in the morning.
A/N: It's back! Best Days is slowly being revamped and continued. Unfortunately this is a slow thing as everything that's been written so far has to be redone and so far only chapter one is ready. I plan on getting this re-arranged as fast as possible, also known as being as fast as life will allow me time to work on it. Leave reviews because I love them, constructive criticism also welcome but if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all (aka no flames).